Iganga, Uganda: More than 100 patients underwent free surgeries following the successful completion of a three-day surgical camp and specialised training in the modern Warat procedure, a minimally invasive surgical technique designed to reduce post-operative pain and speed up recovery.
The outreach, which concluded on Saturday at Nakavule Hospital in Iganga, also saw more than 10 surgeons from government and private health facilities trained in the innovative procedure as part of efforts to improve access to modern surgical care across the Busoga sub-region.
The programme was organised by the Rotary Club of Iganga in partnership with Imperial Hospital and Iganga Hospital.
The training, held at Iganga District Hospital, equipped surgeons with practical skills to perform operations using the Warat procedure, which health professionals say offers patients minimal pain and faster recovery compared to conventional surgical methods.
According to the Rotary Club of Iganga, the initiative was inspired by one of its Rotarian doctors who travelled to Canada to study the procedure before returning to share the knowledge with colleagues in Uganda.
Speaking during the training, Rotary Club of Iganga President Dr. Kasimu Simbwa said the project reflects the club’s commitment to introducing innovative healthcare solutions in the region.
“We as Rotary Club Iganga, this year we should apply something new. The first is Warat, which was studied by one of the Rotarian doctors who went abroad. We agreed to sponsor him and train some doctors in private and public government hospitals,” Dr. Simbwa said.
He said the long-term objective is to extend the training to doctors across all 11 districts of the Busoga sub-region, ensuring that more patients benefit from the modern surgical technique.
More than 100 patients operated on
Immediately after the training, the medical team moved to Nakavule Hospital for a three-day free surgical camp that ran from Thursday to Saturday, offering consultations, screening and operations to residents unable to afford specialised treatment.
Organisers had targeted more than 500 patients for screening and treatment during the outreach. By the close of the camp, more than 100 patients had successfully undergone operations for conditions including hernias, bumps, lumps, lesions and ganglions.
Participating surgeon Dr. Kasim said the outreach particularly focused on identifying and treating hernia cases while providing patients with free medical consultations, surgery and medication.
He noted that after completing the training, the participating surgeons would return to their respective health facilities to offer the same specialised services within their communities.
Health officials at Iganga District Hospital welcomed the initiative, noting that fear of post-operative pain remains one of the major reasons many patients delay seeking surgical treatment.
They expressed optimism that the introduction of modern procedures that minimise pain and shorten recovery periods will encourage more people to seek timely medical care.
Dr. Simbwa said the surgical camp forms part of Rotary’s broader health interventions aimed at improving access to quality and affordable healthcare across Busoga.
He added that the Rotary Club of Iganga will continue working with public and private hospitals to strengthen local surgical capacity and expand access to modern treatment for underserved communities.
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